Next-Gen Kia Telluride is Coming Soon, Here’s What to Expect
Kia is gearing up to unveil the second-generation Telluride, which will arrive as a 2027 model and not a 2026 like its cousin, the Hyundai Palisade.
The debut will take place on November 20 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Once again, The Car Guide will bring you full coverage of the event.
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As a reminder, the Palisade-Telluride duo has been at the top of our Best Buys in the three-row midsize SUV segment for six years in a row. It has also won numerous other awards and accolades in North America and worldwide. However, while the Palisade is selling well, the Telluride remains among the least popular with customers.
Our goal here is not to explain why that is, but rather to look at what's to come. First, with regard to styling, the 2027 Telluride will adopt an even more angular silhouette (spy shots of camouflaged prototypes circulating on the web tend to confirm this) and Kia's Star Map signature for the LED headlights, daytime running lights and taillights. We expect it to look a bit more like the fully electric Kia EV9, while showing more restraint than the flashy new Palisade.
Inside, the Telluride’s dual-screen interface will be retained but redesigned along with the dashboard and console. The control layout should be cleaner, and a new steering wheel with an off-centre Kia logo will be featured. Additionally, some of the Palisade's technology could be borrowed, such as the dual dash cams that allow occupants to continuously record activities both on the go and when idling.
As for powertrain options, we anticipate a copy-paste of Hyundai's cousin once again. The 3.8-litre V6 (291 hp, 262 lb-ft) will give way to a new 3.5-litre V6 (287 hp, 260 lb-ft) that’s a tad less powerful yet no more fuel-efficient, a result of the vehicle's increased weight.
For the first time, Kia will offer a Telluride Hybrid, combining a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors (329 hp, 339 lb-ft). If the Palisade Hybrid is any indication, expect fuel consumption to average around 8.1 L/100 km—not as good as the Toyota Highlander/Grand Highlander Hybrid but better than the Mazda CX-70/CX-90 PHEV once their electric range is exhausted.
The 2027 Kia Telluride is projected to hit the market around mid-2026 and come with higher prices. The current 2025 model (there's no 2026 on Kia Canada's website yet) ranges from $50,995 to $63,695, excluding the various fees. The 2026 Hyundai Palisade, meanwhile, starts at $53,699 plus fees.
